Cordy Sky Review

“Cordy’s second instalment takes this beautifully designed platform-puzzler in a new direction, skyward to be exact.” – True Tech Kings

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Cordy Sky is the second instalment of the Cordy series by SilverTree media. You play as Cordy a little robot from the previous instalment that has now crash landed on a mysterious sky planet on his way to “Planet 2”’. He meets a stranded robot called Volt and together they take to the sky and head towards undiscovered planets.

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Cordy’s second instalment takes this beautifully designed platform-puzzler in a new direction, skyward to be exact. Each level starts with Cordy being propelled into the clouds, with a series of springs, launchers and jump pads to help Cordy ascend through the levels collecting gears that can be used to purchase in-game upgrades, costumes and colour skins for Cordy. Volt your sidekick (sort of) helps you out when ever your about to fall, collecting certain tokens will allow you to ask for his help when you lose you footing giving you a rocket powered boost to get you back on your feet. 

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Though the series seems to have been taking a new directions, its puzzler roots are not completely lost. Certain launch pads will send you into a small puzzle chamber that when completed properly will reward you with tokens to get some extras items and power-ups. Also if you played the previous instalment you would have noticed that practically all the elements from the previous game was recycled, yet its gameplay has been completely redesigned giving players a completely new experience.

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With any of the Cordy titles what first captivates any player are the stunning visuals and its cleverly positioned virtual buttons which gives the controls an intuitive feel. Also with this instalment tilt and slide control configurations have been added, but the game lacks an equally and impressive soundtrack and clearly set objectives. Its soundtrack and sound effects are mellow and dull contrary to the fast passed gameplay, it has a better plot relative to its predecessor which did have one at all – even though it’s short and you’ll probably achieve the goal set by the story at one sitting, it’s still better than nothing. 

 

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Cordy Sky is a huge step in the right direction for tablet gaming, it has it flaws but once you get into it, it’ll be difficult to set your slate down. If all tablet games where this polished maybe dedicated handhelds are on their way out. You can download Cordy Sky FREE on Google PLAY for android tablets and at the App Store for iPad.

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Apple’s New iPad: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

“...if you walked into an Apple store and purchased one - you would still be the envy of your friends, but with time you would soon realise you are your own worst enemy”

On the 7th of March 2012, Apple held an event in which they announced their third generation of their ground breaking iPad, to be released less than two week away on the 16th of March, 2012. Just days after initial announcement pre-orders started rolling in, such that Apple ran out pre-ordered iPads scheduled for a launch day delivery. On the weekend of its launch Apple reports that they sold, three million units - two million more than its predecessor (the ipad 2) in its own opening weekend.

Truth be told if you were one of the lucky few who got the device on launch day you would be considered one of the luckiest people on earth, but today if you walked into an Apple store and purchased one - you would still be the envy of your friends, but with time you would soon realise you are your own worst enemy. Too harsh?

The Good
Don’t get me wrong the new iPad isn’t all bad, in fact some would argue that its highlights out weight its pitfalls. Apples newest device boasts of a 2045x1536 resolution retina display, with 3.2 million pixels stretched across 9.7 inches at a pixel density of 264 ppi (Pixels per inch). For a less technical description of what I’m going on about, top quality magazines like Vouge, Cosmopolitan and T3 print their magazines at 300ppi and 264ppi being only 36ppi, one could say the third generation of iPad’s display is almost picture perfect.

So we know it can, Talk the Talk, but can it Walk the Walk? The third generation of iPad has a dual-core A5X CPU coupled with a quad-core GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) to help back up its cutting edge display making sure no pixel goes to unattended. Lastly, the iPad rear facing camera has been upgraded to now take 5 MP (mega pixels) stills and 1080p Full HD videos. In summary all corners have been covered in terms of Visuals.

The Bad
As you may have heard the new iPad isn’t perfect, you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette, right? The first issue to come to light concerning the new iPad reached temperatures of up to 47°C while running power intensive applications in comparison to the iPad 2 peeking at 40°C under the same conditions. This does make sense considering the extra processing power included in the newer model, but is a 7°C difference that bid a deal? Further studies did show that other devices in the market do get very close to, but not as hot as the new iPad. My major concern is how this rise in temperature would fair for users in tropic regions. Noting that all initial studies were carried out in the northern hemisphere with heat index ranging from 14-25°C, unlike in the tropic regions with heat indexes as high as 35°C, in which the iPad is rapidly gaining popularity. Also the hefty and somewhat, stylish leather casing in which people in these regions encloses their iPads in order to protect it from damage, does raise some concern.

Soon after another issue was brought to light, concerning the new iPads Wi-Fi connectivity symptoms included intermittent connectivity, slow Wi-Fi speeds and “Wi-Fi network not seen”. Though this issue is limited to only the Wi-Fi versions, and Apple is offering to accept back all affected iPads for repairs, it is still not sure if is a software and hardware problem is still unknown.

The latest on the list of complaints concerning the new iPad is specific to international (non-US) consumers. The new iPad doesn’t seem to play well with 3G outside the US. An increasing number of new iPad owners, widespread across Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia, have been complaining on Apple forums about trouble with connecting to 3G networks from their tablets. It loses its mobile data connection despite showing a strong signal, then to re-establish mobile data can only be done by turning the iPad off, fully powering it off by holding down the power button then swiping, then turning it back on again.

The Ugly
To sum it all up, yes, the new iPad does have connectivity issues. For a brand so heavily reliant on its internet connectivity to run, well frankly, all of its services - it is not difficult to see why this is a problem. But no sundae is complete without a cherry on top, one last thing you might want to note about the new iPad is that’s LTE 4G only works in the US, and will not support the 4G that will be available in the UK, and is not compatible with the 4G already available in Australia.

Truth be told, I don’t know what to make of the new iPad. During the days between when it was announced and when it was released it could easily be one of the most revolutionary devices of the year. But with all the problems plaguing it so soon after its releases it would be hard to will back the vote of confidence among consumers from long time users and newcomers alike. Some even go as far as saying the iPad 2 is a better buy than its supposed 4G successor.

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Nyan Cat: Lost in Space Review (Android Version)

“Pop-tarts, Waffles, Cakes, Ice Cream, Candy Canes and Bagels! What’s not to Love?” – True Tech Kings

Nyan Cat: Lost In Space released by IsTom Games for android on the 1^st of March 2012, is just one of many Nyan Cat releases by various producers. It has been a year since the internet phenomenon first emerged, and just about everybody who’s a regular on YouTube would have seen this viral video of the cat with a pop-tart as a torso, if not the originally Japanese soundtrack associated with it.

It’s one of the best android games I’ve come across so far this year, even though it’s “an old game”, so if you clocked the game on iOS for the umpteenth time and just hearing the phrase “nyan-nyan-nyan” again fills you with uncontrollable psychotic rage, you might want to pass on this one. But if you are one of the few who have never really experienced the phenomenon that is Nyan Cat, let me take you on a journey unlike any other. Into the world of Nyan Cat!

So what makes this game so much fun? Well it has all the elements that make any game irrespective of the platform great.

It’s simple! From its 16-bit visuals to its repetitive yet likeable soundtrack, somewhat based on the ever present “dash/run game” on the App store. Its controls are elementary, tap to jump and tap twice to jump higher, as long as you don’t accidentally fall to your doom, child’s play really.

It’s got Power-ups! Nyan Cat: In Space has a verity of enhancements available - never hurts to mix it up a bit. SUPERNYAN lets you breeze through the stage without the fear of falling, MAGNETNYAN draws items towards you while the BUBBLENYAN gives you one more hit point to keep your multiplier climbing (hum, reminds me of a little blue hedgehog I once knew).

Although some power-up do have suggestive themes like COCONYAN (CRACKNYAN) which looks like a pill and JAMANYAN which looks like a blunt, these elements tend to push the game recommendation for a more mature audiences. 

Achievements and Competitive play! Since Nyan Cat: In Space is linked to Openfeint so you can rank your hi-score with friends and show off your accomplishments (Nyan-score, sorry couldn’t resist).

Baddies! UFO’s, and Dogs, and Black Cats! Oh My! Bumping into any of these foes will have a huge impact on you score and cancel any power-up you have active.

Customisation! SPIDER NYAN, JOKER NYAN or INDIYAN JONES! Take your pick. You can alternate the background from outer space to a little village in the hills. Not a Pop-tart man? They’ve got waffles too.

What else can I say? Nyan Cat: In Space is a nice game, its fun and in theory you can play it forever. It’s free on the Android Market, Now known as the PLAY Store, and also included content that would need to be purchased if downloaded on the Apple App Store Free. So download it today!

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